Mountain Bike advice

[patricks148]

My Custom Build Dave Hind Steel framed MTB, finally gave up the ghost this week. Chain stay completely broken, got in in 1997 so done OK.

looking for a replacement frame or maybe the whole thing. I would like to transfer the GS off the old one as its was top of the range XTR at the time and is still in great shape as are the Pace Carbon Suspension forks, though is suspect as the old frame has a stem a head set, this might not be possible.

Don't want to spend a fortune and advice or suggestions?

 

[Deleted member 18121]

What kind of riding do you do? hard tail or full suspension? Did you want a retro frame or a modern one? If you want to keep the front mech you'll either need same size frame geometry or need a shim etc to make it fit

I've just got a "gravel" bike and find it much more usable for day to day use that my full suspension.

 

[Bunkermagnet]

I just been looking around, and tbh I don’t see progress really.
I currently have a 1992 Orange Clockwork ( Dave Hind wheels too) and a ‘’99 Marin full susser.
First thing, the better bikes are now single front ring, and what I consider stupid rear cassettes.
Personally, if you like your Dave Hind that much, why not take it to a frame builder and get it repaired then a new paint job.
One thing I have noticed is that a decent steel frame is still in the market, but not cheap

 

[patricks148]

What kind of riding do you do? hard tail or full suspension? Did you want a retro frame or a modern one? If you want to keep the front mech you'll either need same size frame geometry or need a shim etc to make it fit

I've just got a "gravel" bike and find it much more usable for day to day use that my full suspension.

Hard tail i would say, don't do much extreme off road, most Paths and forest tracks.

MTB has moved on from when i did a lot, steel was very popular and there were dozens of custom builders to chose from. Looked in to HD repairing it but it appears he sold the company to someone else and by the look of things no one has a good word to say about the new people.

 

[patricks148]

I just been looking around, and tbh I don’t see progress really.
I currently have a 1992 Orange Clockwork ( Dave Hind wheels too) and a ‘’99 Marin full susser.
First thing, the better bikes are now single front ring, and what I consider stupid rear cassettes.
Personally, if you like your Dave Hind that much, why not take it to a frame builder and get it repaired then a new paint job.
One thing I have noticed is that a decent steel frame is still in the market, but not cheap

i have emailed half a dozen frame builders and not one have replied, so i suppose they are just not interested in doing it, problem i have is my location, no one close. it would mean stripping the bike and posting and i have no clue how to get the forks off

 

[Bunkermagnet]

i have emailed half a dozen frame builders and not one have replied, so i suppose they are just not interested in doing it, problem i have is my location, no one close. it would mean stripping the bike and posting and i have no clue how to get the forks off

Most frame builders would want the bike stripped first. Forks would be a doddle. I imagine you’ve got a quill still, so central Allen key undone and push the bolt head down, then pull out the quill stem and bars in one go. Undo top bearing lock nut, and push the forks down.Getting them back together is slightly more interesting

I had a set of Manitou front suspension fitted to my Orange not long after I got it, and wore them out. I put the original rigid forks back on, but had to put a new headset on. It wasn’t hard to do.

 

[Beezerk]

I'll be getting an EMTB hopefully in the next few months. I know it sounds lazy but I mainly do downhill trails in the local woods and getting back up the steep hills is torture
I was working with a lad last week who until recently owned an MTB uplift service in Scotland, he was saying Commencal are right at the top of their game at the minute regarding frame design.
They're definitely near the top of my shopping list.

 

[Deleted member 18121]

Hard tail i would say, don't do much extreme off road, most Paths and forest tracks.

MTB has moved on from when i did a lot, steel was very popular and there were dozens of custom builders to chose from. Looked in to HD repairing it but it appears he sold the company to someone else and by the look of things no one has a good word to say about the new people.

I used to race downhill back in the 90s and came back into biking last year and like you found it had all changed...... as bunker magnet said its now all single chain ring (which I have on my full suspension bike and absolutely love it - I did the 75 mile London to brighton off road on it last year).

For your kind of riding I'd be tempted to look for a road style bike which would take your XTR gear, then just stick some slightly knobblier tyres on......just to give you an idea, I recently got a Giant Toughroad SLX GR and its a fantastic all rounder.

 

[USER1999]

I was looking at a full suspension emtb in Halfords yesterday £2400 reduced from £3600. It looked amazing, but I last rode a mountain bike anout 10 years ago, and so have no idea what I would do with it. Great bit of kit though.

 

[Beezerk]

I was looking at a full suspension emtb in Halfords yesterday £2400 reduced from £3600. It looked amazing, but I last rode a mountain bike anout 10 years ago, and so have no idea what I would do with it. Great bit of kit though.

First bit of advice would be to avoid Halfords
The Vitus E Sommet is down to about £2800 now and is possibly the best pound for pound value EMTB currently out there.

 

[USER1999]

First bit of advice would be to avoid Halfords
The Vitus E Sommet is down to about £2800 now and is possibly the best pound for pound value EMTB currently out there.

Yeah, but I am not buying, and was actually shopping for engine oil, and thought I would have a wander. I would not be looking at Halfords for this sort of investment, for sure.

 

[Beezerk]

Yeah, but I am not buying, and was actually shopping for engine oil, and thought I would have a wander. I would not be looking at Halfords for this sort of investment, for sure.